Liver disease refers to any number of conditions affecting the liver. It is usually the result of a disease, infection, or environmental toxin. The liver is an integral organ in the body, and its dysfunction can lead to serious health problems. It plays a crucial role in many metabolic processes, including metabolism, the process by which cells break down nutrients and turn them into energy. The other is bile production, a fluid produced by your liver that contains waste products and helps to break down fats in food before they reach your intestines. It also helps with excess fat storage in adipose tissue (fat tissue) around our organs, muscles, and bones. However, the organ can develop various types of liver disease Katy.
Here is a list of liver diseases.
List of liver diseases
There are many types of liver disease. Some types only affect specific parts of the organ while others affect multiple areas. Some diseases are more common than others. They include;
Hepatitis C
The most common liver disease is hepatitis C. Hepatitis C results from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can be transmitted via contact with infected blood, such as through sexual activity or sharing needles for intravenous drug use, but it can also be spread from mother to child during birth. Hepatitis C is treatable but not curable, and there is no vaccine against it. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck and under the arm. Untreated hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, and death.
Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is a condition in which the liver becomes enlarged and contains an excessive amount of fat. This causes a buildup of scar tissue, which interferes with the normal function of the organ and can lead to complications. The most common cause of the fatty liver disease is alcohol abuse, but it can also result from other conditions such as viral hepatitis and diabetes.
Alcoholic hepatitis
This type of hepatitis affects about 1% to 2% of people who abuse alcohol, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Alcoholic hepatitis is a progressive condition that involves inflammation of the liver cells caused by excessive alcohol consumption. It can progress to cirrhosis or fibrosis if left untreated.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a long-term condition in which the liver’s normal function is interrupted by scarring or fibrosis. It is caused by chronic alcohol consumption and can lead to liver cancer. The more advanced stages of cirrhosis are referred to as alcoholic cirrhosis, although they can occur in people who don’t drink alcohol.
Portal hypertension
Portal hypertension occurs when there is an abnormal increase in pressure inside the veins that drain blood from the liver. This increases the risk of bleeding in the brain and other organs. The condition may be caused by several factors, including fatty deposits around the liver (steatohepatitis), high blood pressure (hypertension), or blockages in the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver (biliary cirrhosis).
Liver disease is a broad term that describes any disease that affects the liver. It produces hemoglobin, cholesterol, and bile acids. Other crucial functions include processing vitamin A and storing glycogen. However, the liver can get infected. Contact Imperial Digestive Health Specialists PLLC experts if you have a liver disease.
